Steroid and anti-CD18 treatment have no effect on after-cataract formation following surgery in rabbits

Abstract

Purpose. It is debated whether the inflammatory reaction that follows cataract surgery is important in the development of after-cataract. The aim of the present investigation was to study if reduction of the early inflammatory process had any effect on the development of after-cataract in the rabbit. Methods. Rabbits were divided into 3 groups: 1) no treatment (control), 2) steroids, and 3) IB4 (murine anti-CD18 mab). Aqueous humor (AqH) was aspirated from all rabbits just prior to, and 1 and 56 days after cataract surgery. On day 56 the weight of the after-cataracts was determined. The effect of the AqH on rabbit lens epithelial cell (LEC) proliferation in vitro was investigated. The AqH concentrations of protein, leukocytes, prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) , basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and active transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) were determined. Results. In AqH collected on day 1 postoperatively from the control group, the concentration of leukocytes, protein and PGE 2 were 152.1/µl, 20.6 mg/ml, and 441.5 pg/0.1 ml, respectively. The corresponding levels in the steroid group were significantly lower (55.8/µl, 12.1 mg/ml, and 140.2 pg/0.1 ml). In the IB4 group, the concentrations of leukocytes and protein were significantly lower, 17.9/µl and 11.1 mg/ml, respectively. However, the proliferative effect of AqH on rabbit LEC, the concentrations of bFGF and active TGF-ß on day 1, and the weight of after-cataract on day 56 were not reduced by the anti-inflammatory treatments. Conclusions. This study indicates that reduction of the early inflammatory response after cataract surgery is not important in the development of after-cataract.